12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose , I have written briefly , exhorting , and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand .
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Devotional:
After the secretary, Silvanus, put down his pen, Peter writes his own greeting: "Peace to all of you who are in Christ." This greeting is for the whole congregation, because the church's secret is that she is "in Christ."
In Christ we have everything. We live out of a new, unseen reality. We belong to a new world that began with Christ's resurrection. And in him we are entitled to an inheritance that is imperishable.
"Peace to all of you." Shalom! It's more a proclamation than a wish, more a blessing than a greeting. Peace is the New Testament word for the salvation God has granted us in Christ. It conveys the idea of healing and liberation for people caught in the trap of guilt and death. To be set free and to have God smile upon you ... that is peace.
"Peace be with you." That's the best thing we can write to each other. Peace will be with you, me, and all who are in Christ. Don't let this slip your mind. Keep it always before your consciousness. God's peace is now a reality for you and your loved ones and all who are in Christ. Shalom is here because Christ is in us and we are in him.
God's peace is our source of hope and strength. If we have this peace today, we also have a taste of the future goodness.
